Apple songs are such a fun addition to a fall or September preschool theme! These simple apple songs and fingerplays for preschoolers and toddlers are easy to use during circle time, transitions, or anytime you want to add a little music and movement to your day.
Many of these songs include counting, hand motions, colors, or pretend play, which makes it easy for young children to join in even before they know all the words.
I’ve been singing many of these songs with young children for years, from my days working in daycare centers to using them in my own home daycare and preschool program. The songs may be simple, but that’s exactly why they work so well with toddlers and preschoolers!
Post Updated August 2026
Apple Songs and Fingerplays for Preschoolers
You don’t need any special supplies for these apple songs. Just sing, add the motions, and have fun!
For an apple-themed week, I usually introduce just a few songs at a time and repeat them throughout the week. Preschoolers love repetition, and it doesn’t take long before they start singing along
1. Way Up High in the Apple Tree
Best for: counting, movement, and fingerplay
Way up high in the apple tree (reach up high, spread fingers pretending to be a tree)
Five little apples smiled down at me (Put fingers on cheeks, make smile, or make circles with hands and put around eyes, like pretending to have binoculars)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (pretend to shake the tree)
Down came the apples (bring hands down wiggling fingers, like falling rain)
Mmmmm, they were good! (rub tummy)
…4,3,2,1… All Gone!
This is one of my favorite apple fingerplays for preschoolers because kids get to move while practicing counting backward from five.
You can also use five felt or paper apples and remove one each time you count down.
2. A Little Apple Seed
Tune: Itsy Bitsy Spider
Once a little apple seed was planted in the ground.
Down came the soft rain, falling all around.
Out came the sun as bright as bright could be
And that little apple seed grew to be an apple tree!!
Add simple movements as you sing. Pretend to plant the seed, wiggle your fingers for the rain, make a large circle for the sun, and slowly stretch up tall as the apple tree grows.
This is a great song to use when you are talking about how apples grow.
3. Juicy Apples
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Apples juicy, Apples round,
On the trees and on the ground.
Apples yellow, Apples red,
Apple juice or pie and bread.
Apples crunchy, Apples sweet,
Apples are so good to eat!
After singing, ask the children to think of other words that describe apples. Are they crunchy? Smooth? Sour? Sweet? Red? Green? This makes an easy extension to an apple-tasting activity too.
4. Falling Apples
Tune: London Bridge Is Falling Down
See The Apples Falling Down (Use Arm Motions, Raise hands in air)
Falling down, Falling Down
See The Apples Falling Down
Down To The Ground
Pick The Apples And Throw Them Up
Throw Them Up, Throw Them Up
Pick The Apples And Throw Them Up
Up To The Sky
Encourage children to reach high when the apples are in the tree, slowly bring their hands down as the apples fall, and then reach back toward the sky.
This is a good apple song when your preschoolers need to get up and move.
5. Do You Know the Apple Man?
Tune: The Muffin Man
Oh, do you know the apple man,
the apple man, the apple man?
Oh, do you know the apple man
who likes to play with me?
Oh, he has a great big smile,
a great big smile, a great big smile,
Oh, he has a great big smile
and likes to play with me.
Try changing the words or adding the children’s names to make the song more interactive. Preschoolers usually love hearing their own names pop up in familiar songs!
6. Have You Ever Seen an Apple?
Tune: Have You Ever Seen a Lassie?
Have you ever seen an apple, an apple, an apple,
Have you ever seen an apple that grows on a tree?
A red one, a yellow one, a red one, a yellow one.
Have you ever seen an apple that grows on a tree
Try holding up different colored apples while you sing.
You can use real apples, felt apples, paper apples, or even photos. Talk about the different colors children notice and compare the apples after the song.
7. Applesauce
Tune: Yankee Doodle
Peel an apple,
cut it up,
cook it in a pot.
When you taste it
you will find
it’s applesauce you’ve got!
This little apple song is especially fun before making applesauce with preschoolers.
Add motions for peeling, chopping, stirring, and tasting as you sing.
You can also ask the children what happens first, next, and last when making applesauce.
8. Five Red Apples Fingerplay
Five red apples hanging in a tree (Hold up five fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see.
The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (lower one finger)Four red apples, hanging in a tree, (Hold up four fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see.
The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (lower one finger)Three red apples, hanging in a tree, (Hold up three fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see.
The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (lower one finger)Two red apples, hanging in a tree, (Hold up two fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see.
The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (lower one finger)One red apple, hanging in a tree, (Hold up two fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see.
The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (lower one finger)No red apples, hanging in a tree (Hold up a hand with all fingers down)
Hold up five fingers to begin and lower one finger each time an apple falls from the tree.
For a hands-on version, pair this song with a felt board apple tree and let children remove one apple at a time as you sing.
How to Use Apple Songs During Circle Time
You definitely don’t have to sing all eight songs in one sitting!
Choose two or three apple songs and repeat them throughout your apple theme. Once the children become familiar with those songs, add another one.
You can also add simple props such as:
- Felt apples
- Play food apples
- Paper apples
- Apple picture cards
- Number cards
- Scarves for movement
I like songs that require little or no preparation because they’re easy to pull out whenever we have a few extra minutes during our daycare day.
Make an Apple Theme Out of It
Apple songs are even more fun when you pair them with other hands-on apple activities.
Try adding an apple taste test, apple-themed sensory play, counting activities, books about apples, or an apple art project. You can also use these songs as part of your September preschool themes.
For more hands-on apple learning, try our Felt Board Apple Tree Counting Game for Toddlers or make a batch of our Apple Pie Playdough.
Apple Songs for Toddlers
Most of these apple songs work well for toddlers too.
For younger children, don’t worry about whether they can sing every word. Focus more on simple motions, repetitive phrases, and letting them participate in their own way.
Songs like Way Up High in the Apple Tree and Five Red Apples are especially easy to adapt because toddlers can hold up their fingers, pretend to shake the tree, and watch the apples “fall.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are these apple songs for?
These songs work best for toddlers, preschoolers, and young kindergarten-age children. You can simplify the motions for younger toddlers or add counting, sequencing, and discussion questions for older preschoolers.
When should I use apple songs in preschool?
Apple songs are perfect for a fall or September apple theme, but you can use them anytime you are learning about apples, trees, fruit, harvest, colors, or the changing seasons.
They also work well as quick circle-time activities or transitions between activities.
Can I add props to these apple fingerplays?
Absolutely! Felt apples, paper apples, pretend food, apple puppets, or simple picture cards can make these songs even more interactive.
You don’t need props, though. One of the best things about songs and fingerplays is that you can do them almost anywhere.
More Apple Activities for Preschoolers
Songs are an easy way to add music and movement to your apple theme, but don’t stop there! Pair them with apple counting, sensory play, books, art, and simple science activities for a full week of hands-on apple learning.
What apple songs and fingerplays are favorites in your preschool or daycare? Share your favorites in the comments!
Looking for more crafts and activities? Check out our index for 100+ kids’ activities! Find activities by theme, materials, skills, age, and much more!
